Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Five Indonesian army (TNI-AD) members have been named suspects in the case of illegal immigrants whose boat sank in Prigi, Trenggalek, East Java, recently, on its way to Australia.

"Based on the results of an investigation, more suspects have been named, namely chief sergeant K, chief corporal K, sub-second lieutenant S, second sergeant M and second sergeant IAS who are army members, BS, a civil servant, and four civilians," head of the National Police`s public relations division Inspector General Saud Usman Nasution said here on Wednesday.

He said the army members were suspected of having facilitated the illegal immigrants` departure by boat to Australia in violation of articles 55 and 56 of the Criminal Code and were now still being detained at the Brawijaya Military Command Headquarters.

A boat carrying more than 200 illegal immigrants from Middle Eastern countries capsized at around 10am in the waters in Prigi, Trenggalek, East Java, on December 19.

The victims were first found by two fishermen in Prigi waters around 25 miles from the coast.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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